Relates to the supervision of athletic trainers

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Michaelle Solages

Allows non-onsite physician supervision of athletic trainers via annual written protocols, with up to six trainers per physician (six-trainer cap eased in certain schools).

REPORTED REFERRED TO RULES

Bill Summary: A 10823-A (2025-2026) — Relates to the supervision of athletic trainers (New York)

Purpose and Intent

The bill amends the Education Law to clarify and modify the supervision framework for athletic trainers by physicians.

It aims to specify the nature of supervision (continuous but not always on-site) and update the supervisory physician-to-athletic trainer ratio, with certain exemptions for specific settings.

Key Provisions and Changes

Supervision Model:

Supervision of an athletic trainer by a physician remains continuous, but does not require the physician’s physical presence at the exact time/place of service.
A signed written agreement or protocol must exist between the supervising physician and the licensed athletic trainer, detailing the nature and scope of services.
The written agreement/protocol must be reviewed at least annually by both parties and revised as needed.

Physician Supervision Ratios:

The bill specifies a limit of no more than six athletic trainers under the supervision of a single physician (previously stated as four).
An exception applies for athletic trainers practicing in secondary schools and in postsecondary educational institutions (colleges/universities) where the supervising physician serves as the medical director for the school or institution. In these settings, the six-trainer limit does not apply.

Effective Date:

The act takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Who Is Affected

Licensed athletic trainers in New York who practice under physician supervision.

Supervising physicians who oversee athletic trainers.

Institutions of secondary education (high schools) and postsecondary education (colleges/universities) where physicians serve as medical directors.

Educational institutions and facilities employing athletic trainers who would be subject to revised supervision ratios and annual protocol reviews.

Procedural/Timeline Aspects

The bill has a standard legislative passage timeline: introduced, referred to the Higher Education Committee, amended, printed as amended (10823A), and recommitted to the committee.

It becomes effective immediately upon enactment.

The supervision protocol must be reviewed annually, with updates as necessary.

Practical Impact and Considerations

May increase flexibility for physicians supervising athletic trainers by allowing non-physical presence while preserving oversight via formal written agreements.

The higher trainer-to-physician ratio (up to six vs. previous four) could expand supervisory capacity in settings with staffing constraints, notably in secondary and postsecondary education where a physician acts as medical director.

Annual review requirement ensures ongoing collaboration and updates to supervision protocols, potentially improving standardization of athletic training services.

Note: The bill retains the core framework of physician supervision but updates the ratio and formalizes annual protocol reviews, with targeted exemptions for specific educational settings.